Netflix’s Emily in Paris has officially landed in Venice, where filming for the highly anticipated fifth season is taking place from August 15 to 25, 2025.
The shoot comes just days ahead of the Venice Film Festival, amplifying the buzz in the lagoon city as stars, tourists, and film crews all converge on the same stage.
Lily Collins and the cast have already been spotted across the city, transforming iconic Venetian streets and canals into an international film set. But while the excitement of seeing the series in Italy has thrilled fans, the production has also sparked controversy around its extras casting process, adding an unexpected twist to the glamorous shoot. Collins posted from Venice on her Instagram account.
The Casting Controversy
The production is seeking 500 extras of all ages to appear in scenes being filmed throughout Venice. However, the call has been criticized for its strict appearance requirements. Notices specify that the show is looking for “good-looking people” with particular clothing sizes. For women, this generally translates to European sizes 36–40 (US 4–8), while for men it’s European sizes 46–50 (US 36–40).
Such guidelines have raised concerns because they favor a narrow and conventional standard of beauty, excluding many locals and fans who had hoped to participate. Critics point out that this reflects a broader issue with Emily in Paris, a series often called out for failing to embrace body diversity and instead reinforcing traditional fashion-world ideals. As Vogue noted in its review of earlier seasons, the show has a history of leaning into outdated stereotypes about appearance rather than promoting body positivity.
Because of these requirements, the production struggled to fill all 500 background roles, and just days before cameras rolled, the quota remained uncovered. For a show set in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, the controversy has sparked debate about whether its glamorous image is coming at the expense of inclusivity.
Emily in Paris filming in Venice: Set Locations
The Venetian backdrop will play a central role in the new season. Filming locations already confirmed include:
- Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo
- San Francesco della Vigna
- I Miracoli
- Hotel Danieli (interior scenes, still closed for renovations, the hotel will reopen in early 2026)
- St. Regis Hotel (also serving as a set)
Water scenes are being filmed with authorized use of scenic taxis and a technical “camera boat,” navigating the Grand Canal between Accademia, Punta della Dogana, and St. Regis pier.
Emily in Paris filming in Venice: Storyline Hints
Season five is expected to continue Emily’s personal and professional evolution. According to early reports, her storyline in Venice could intersect with Italian fashion, possibly through her romance with Marcello Muratori (played by Eugenio Franceschini), first introduced in season four.
Leaked details suggest that filming may involve a wedding or funeral sequence, as well as a potential runway scene, which could explain the production’s focus on securing a specific look among its extras.
Local Reactions
The shoot has created buzz not just among fans but also within Venice itself. Regional president Luca Zaia welcomed the production, saying:
“Our Venice once again proves its appeal for major global audiovisual productions.”
At the same time, tourism operators have begun offering packages for fans eager to hunt down filming spots, underscoring the cultural and economic pull of the Netflix series.
When to Expect Season 5
Emily in Paris will be back on December 18, 2025, on Netflix. In the meantime, Venice will continue to serve as the glamorous stage for Emily Cooper’s next adventures.
The arrival of Emily in Paris in Venice has brought glitz, tourism buzz, and Hollywood stars to the lagoon city. But it has also sparked a debate about inclusivity in casting, reminding viewers that even in a show about fashion and fantasy, real-world issues of representation still matter.